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COMPREHENSIVE AND PRACTICAL 



TREATISE 



ON 



THE PREVENTION AND CURE 



OF 



EPIDEMIC CHOLERA. 



BY ZIMRI HUSSEY, M. D. 



LOCKLAND — NEAR CINCINNATI 




CINCINNATI : 



GAZETTE OFFICE, WRIGHT, FISHER & CO. 
18 4 9. 



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Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1849, by Zimri Hussey, in 
the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Ohio. 



CHOLERA. 



Of all the scourges that have ever afflicted our race, from 
the desolating plague stalking forth amidst Athenian glory, in 
the days of Hippocrates, to modern pestilences walking at 
noon-day, and ravaging alike both palaces and hamlets, in 
utter disregard of the dignified position of the Healing Art, and 
the boasted progress of science; — perhaps none have caused 
more terror — been more destructive in their course — or more 
effectually triumphed over the common sense of mankind, than 
the Asiatic Cholera. From the day that this scourge leaped 
up in Eastern climes — a hideous monster from his birth — his 
going forth has intimidated the brave, and overwhelmed the 
imbecile with wild confusion. The reputed guardians of health 
have stood aghast, and time-honored and law-protected medi- 
cal practice, veiled its countenance for shame. Asia, Europe 
and America, have quailed beneath his power, and handed 
over victims innumerable to the grasp of the insatiate monster. 

In the investigation and management of any form of disease, 
and especially such as assume a pestilential character, it is im- 
portant that we do it with strict regard to physical and phys- 
iological laws, and principles of unchangeable and universal 
practicability. It is not necessary that we should essay to 
confront the Divine will, or blindly rush on, like Balaam, in 
utter disregard of the Angel's flaming sword; but it is essen- 
tial that our minds be enlightened by reason, fortified by truth, 
and clothed with benevolence; and that our hands be found 
handling with diligence the simple elements which Providence 
in mercy has left us for the preservation and restoration of 
health. 



Calmness and decision should characterize the feelings and 
conduct of every one; without which the mind will be let 
loose to the wildest vagaries, and the body subjected to the 
most reckless and destructive experiments. Think not to stay 
the plague by subjecting its victims to the consequences of 
neglect — or hastily and rudely handing them down to a mis- 
erable grave, while yet the vital spark is hovering near. But 
rest assured that " man's inhumanity to man," has never con- 
tributed to his happiness or security. Be patient, then, and 
wait upon the sick as rational and accountable beings; and 
fear not to be found in the line of your duty. 

Many Cholera subjects have been buried alive. This fact 
should be constantly borne in mind, in order that the errors 
may be avoided that have led to this awful result. The gene- 
ral haste and precipitancy with which subjects of epidemics 
are consigned to the grave, contribute greatly to this conse- 
quence. The practice of administering opium or laudanum 
and brandy, to patients seized with the affection under consi- 
deration, by producing the stillness of death, as in deep intoxi- 
cation, has furnished i^s numbers for premature interment. 
This it has done in addition to the hosts which it has more 
directly and speedily destroyed. But the astonishing and 
absurd iden, that cholera patients are often subjected to spas- 
modic twitchings of the muscles, after death) has contributed, 
perhaps, as much as any other cause, to the incarceration in the 
tomb, of living subjects of this disease. It is hard to conceive 
anything more absurd than this notion. What! the muscles 
move without a motive power? Establish this fact, and it would 
be useless to bury the dead or living either: for the harmony 
of the universe would at once be resolved into chaos. 

Whatever may be the procuring cause of death, or a cessa- 
tion of the visible operations of the vital principle, the human 
body should be withheld from the grave, until there is other 
evidence of dissolution, than such as accompany cases of sus- 
pended animation. Wait until chemical action exists "in the 
vital parts, and then you may safely and consistently bury the 
dead out of your sight. In many cases of the more lingering 



forms of disease, evidence of decomposition may exist at the 
time of death; but more rarely in cases of cholera. 



PREVENTION OF CHOLERA. 

In order to prevent Cholera, it is important to observe reg- 
ularity in living. Eat regularly and sufficiently of plain, nour- 
ishing and substantial food, three times a-day, at intervals of 
from five to six hours; and be sure to eat nothing between 
meals. Avoid heavy and late suppers. Reject all unripe fruits; 
cucumbers, onions, pickles and other innutritious, irritating and 
indigestible articles of food. Use no rancid butter in any way. 
It is also better to avoid hot, and highly shortened, or rich 
bread, sweet cakes, highly seasoned pastry, &c, in conse- 
quence of the great tendency of these articles to produce acid- 
ity of the stomach. On this account also, sugar and molasses 
in any way, should be used in moderation. 

Whatever is calculated to promote and maintain the general 
health of the body, is a Preventive of Cholera. Use good ripe 
bread, rice, sago, pearl barley, the juice and pulp of the ripe 
fruits; rejecting the indigestible portions, as the skins, cores, 
seeds, &c. Eat moderately of animal food, either fresh or 
salt, of such as is healthy and properly prepared; but use no 
veal, or fibrous salt meat that has had its nutritious substance 
destroyed by saltpetre, or a superabundance of salt; or that 
has been otherwise injured. 

If you have not heretofore discarded the habitual use of 
ardent spirits and tobacco, it is important that you do it at 
once, and entirely. These are artificial and enervating 
stimulants; and, as such, constantly over-excite the nervous 
system, and produce a predisposition to disease; and especially 
to cholera. Avoid them then, as you prize your health. Avoid 
dense crowds of human beings, wherever congregated. Venti- 
late your houses, and especially bed-rooms thoroughly in the 
day-time; and at night, leave open all the partition doors that 
you can, and permit the escape of foul air at the tops of the 
windows. Preserve your rooms, beds and clothing free from 



6 

dampness and mould; and keep small fires in cool and damp 
weather. Damp houses should have fires in them every day. 
Retire early, and put on sufficient clothing for the state of the 
weather, immediately on leaving your bed. Avoid the intense 
heat of the sun at noon day, and the dampness of the night air. 
Preserve the mind calm and free from anxiety. Pay timely 
and proper attention to deviations from health. Dress with 
regard to decency, and the wants of the body; always taking 
into consideration the state of the atmosphere with regard to 
temperature and humidity. Be temperate in all things. Pay 
strict regard to the state of the skin and bowels, and secure 
their healthy action. 

Regard and attend to these directions, not merely as notions, 
but as matters of the utmost importance. Remember that 
Cholera, like every other form of disease, pays no deference 
to the contradictory opinions of men. These opinions will 
neither prevent nor arrest the malady. Sustain, then, and pro- 
mote healthy action, by conformity to physiological laws, 
which are uniform and unchangeable, as the only security 
against Cholera or any other morbid affection. If derange- 
ment exists, remove' that derangement by remedies and pro- 
cesses that operate in harmony with vital laws, and engraft no 
disease upon the constitution. Many have lived after being 
subjected to the action of deadly poisons for the cure of Chole- 
ra, and other complaints. So have many returned alive from 
the duelists' conflict, and the haunts of debauchery and intem- 
perance. But Wisdom leads not her children to such places; 
neither is she so inconsistent as to direct the use of poisons, and 
health-destroying processes for the cure of disease. 

If your skin is unhealthy, scurfy and husky, or cold, damp 
and relaxed, wash all over in warm water, using soap, once or 
twice a week. When done washing, rinse off with water quite 
warm, and rub the entire surface with coarse towels until eve- 
ry part is smooth, warm and dry; then apply the stimulating 
liniment* over the skin generally, and especially upon the back, 

* See Recipes on last page. 



arms, lower limbs and feet. This operation should be attended 
to by a comfortable fire, in a room sufficiently close and warm 
to prevent any thing like chilliness. When the liniment is 
dried in, dress up; and do not leave the room with cool hands 
or feet. 

If the stomach is troubled with acrid bile, or acidity, or tbe 
bowels affected with diarrhoea, remove the irritating matter 
from the system — not by a purgative — but by a prompt emetic of 
Lobelia; a stimulating enema, and a judiciously conducted va- 
por bath; or washing of the skin; in either case, never neglect 
the efficient rubbing and stimulating the surface, as before di- 
rected. 

On suddenly ceasing any severe exercise, which may have 
produced a free perspiration, wash the face and hands immedi- 
ately in cold water, and wipe them dry. This recovers the 
proper tension of the skin, checks the escape of animal heat, 
and prevents the further waste of vital matter by the cutaneous 
exhalations. Avoid sitting in cool rooms, or currents of cold 
or damp atmosphere. Observe the directions with regard to 
diet, given heretofore. When exposed to the disease, take a 
table spoonful of the Cholera Syrup* three or four limes a day. 

SYMPTOMS OF CHOLERA. 

It is not necessary to present, in detail, all the symptoms of 
Cholera that have been enumerated. This would often mis- 
lead those most eager to detect the disease. Many symptoms 
may be present in one case, that are wanting in another, of 
equal danger and violence. I shall therefore mention those 
symptoms only, that are always presented by the disease, and 
essential to indicate its presence. Cholera is always attended 
with wasting discharges from the bowels; first, of the fcecal mat- 
ter with increased humidity; then of bilious, watery, milky, or 
rice water like discharges; accompanied with evident sinking of 
the vital powers; and generally with sickness and vomiting, 

* See Recipes. 



8 

cramp at the stomach, cramp in the bowels, calves of legs, &c. 
As the disease advances, the collapsed stage comes on; the cir- 
culation recedes from the surface and extremities; the skin be- 
comes damp, cold, purple, and loses its elasticity; the blood 
vessels collapse, the features shrink, and the pulse disappears. 
Finally, difficult respiration comes on; but the mental mani- 
festations remain unimpaired to the last. 

CURE OF CHOLERA. 

In treating of the indications and curative processes con- 
nected with the management of Cholera, it will not be neces- 
sary to discuss the various opinions that have been advanced 
in explanation of the cause of this malady. On this subject, 
conjecture and speculation have been well nigh exhausted, by 
old school Medical Professors, without affording any important 
instructions for the successful treatment of this appalling 
scourge. I have given directions for the avoidance of such 
physical influences and physiological derangements, as direct- 
ly predispose to Cholera. This imperfect physiological state, 
predisposition, or tendency of vital action to yield to external 
and opposing influences, must exist, before an attack of Chole- 
ra can be established. The immediate cause of attack, or sim- 
ultaneous and successive attacks of this disease, is probably 
owing to sudden variations of atmospheric pressure and tem- 
perature. 

All persons attacked with Cholera, should go immediately to 
bed, have dry hot bricks laid close about the feet and lower 
limbs; and, if the case be only one of wasting diarrhoea, take a 
table spoonful of the Cholera Syrup every few minutes, and 
drink freely of warm peppermint, or other aromatic herb tea, 
until the disposition to frequent and unnatural dejections ceas- 
es, and the circulation and general healthy action is restored. 
Let the patient now remain quiet; eat moderately of the most 
light, nourishing articles heretofore mentioned, and avoid exer- 
cise and exposure until the ordinary strength is fully recovered. 
If, however, the attack assumes directly, or runs into the vio- 



lent form of this disease, it should be treated with strict regard to 
promptness and efficiency. Dry heat should be applied to the 
lower extremities, as directed above; give a table spoonful of 
the Cholera Syrup every five or ten minutes; but if this is thrown 
up, add to each potion of the Syrup, a teaspoonful of Thom- 
son's Third Preparation of Lobelia, and give as before. If 
this produces free vomiting, and the Syrup will afterwards lie 
on the stomach, continue to use it as at first. But should the 
sickness, diarrhoea, cramp and tendency to collapse continue, or 
return, give every few minutes a table spoonful of Thomson's 
No. 6; let the patient drink as freely as he can of warm pep- 
permint tea, and administer to him an injection of warm Bay- 
berry tea containing an even teaspoonful of the bruised seed of 
Lobelia. Repeat, if the first is immediately rejected. This is 
expected to act efficiently on the stomach, and to have a pow 
erful effect in relieving the cramp, and quieting* the nervous 
system. After the operation of this, give the Syrup in suffi- 
cient quantity and frequency to restore and maintain a general 
healthy action. Keep the patient as quiet as possible: if he is 
tossing about, however, and so restless that hot applications 
cannot be applied to the extremities, as before directed, rub the 
limbs constantly with dry cloths, heated as hot as they can be 
without scorching, until quietness is restored, and the hot 
bricks can be used. 

The improvement of the patient may be known by the cessa- 
tion of pain ; returning redness and fullness of the lips and face ; 
a warm and natural perspiration; filling up of the veins of the 
hands, &c. Give the Syrup for hours or days as the case may 
require, and in doses as may be indicated. As soon as the pa- 
tient is evidently recovering, and capable of retaining an injec- 
tion, administer one of warm gruel for that purpose. Keep 
the patient quiet; give him light nourishment at proper inter- 
vals; rub the surface well, once or twice a day, and apply the 
stimulating liniment, until entirely recovered. During the treat- 
ment of a Cholera patient, he should not be exposed to cool or 
damp air: and no person should be admitted, into (he room, except 
such as are competent and absolutely necessary to zvait upon the sick. 
2 



10 

Damp clothing, and every thing offensive should be removed 
from the room immediately. The patient should be secured 
from cold and dampness by a little fire in the room, if the state 
of the weather makes it necessary. The administration of cold 
or ice water to Cholera patients, is of doubtful propriety. 

In some cases it may be necessary to use a larger propor- 
tion of Third Preparation of lobelia than has been named; and 
in many instances the preparations described may not be at 
hand. In such cases, use Cayenne or red pepper in warm wa- 
ter, adding lobelia, in quantities to suit the case, and using in- 
jections as directed. Attend faithfully to the surface, and pre- 
serve a proper state of atmosphere in the room — allowing 
the patient pure air to breathe, and shielding him from cold 
and dampness, which would favor collapse. On this account, 
nothing moist should be applied to the skin, during the sinking 
stage of this form of disease. Various aromatic herb teas may 
be used warm, to relieve thirst and sickness at the stomach — 
as pepper or spear mint, pennyroyal, balm, hyssop, thyme, &c. 
Remember that it is far better to use faithfully a few powerful, yet 
efficient and safe articles, than to rely on many of doubtful and 
dangerous tendency* 

DCF 3 Avoid ice-cream, ice and mineral water, and root-beer. 



11 

RECIPES. 



CHOLERA. SYRUP. 

1 oz. best Cayenne Pepper; 

2 do. Prickly Ash Bark; 
2 do. best Ginger; 

1 do. Golden Seal; 

2 do. American Valerian; 
2 do. Bayberry. 

Wet these up, all together, with scalding water, and secure 
them loosely in a linen bag; put it into three quarts of water, 
and simmer it lightly for half an hour; add a little more boil- 
ing water, if necessary, to make three quarts tea; strainout the 
tea entirely clear, and add to it 

1 gallon best Sugar House Molasses; 
h do. best Jamaica Rum; 
3 pints Thomson's No. 6. 
Bottle for use. 

The following Recipe is for making a larger quantity of Cholera 
Syrup, and of superior strength : 

One pound each of Bayberry and Nerve Powder, steeped at 
different times in a small quantity of scalding water, and the 
liquor poured off, until you get one gallon of the decoction; to 
this add one gallon Sugar House or other pure Molasses, one 
gallon best Jamaica Rum, one gallon Thomson's No. 6; then 
to one oz. genuine African Cayenne, pour one teacupful of 
boiling water, and, after standing a short time, add this to the 
foregoing; mix the whole together, and it is ready for use. 

STIMULATING LINIMENT. 

Take equal parts of Aqua Ammonia (Hartshorn) and Spirits 
Turpentine; mix together, and to a pint of this, add one oz. 
best Cayenne. Bottle it up closely. Shake it up, and warm 
a little at a time for use, and rub it on with the hand. 

Red Pepper and Vinegar, made as strong as it can be, or 
the best Pepper Sauce, as it is kept in bottles for sale, may be 
used with very good effect, as a stimulating liniment. It should 
always be warmed, applied with the hand, and accompanied 
with brisk friction or rubbing of the skin. 



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